Para 2 woes.

Orion's Belt · #1

So, I got my Para 2 a few days ago and it had a sticky lock. I figured I would clean the lock face really well and try the pencil trick. No luck. Now, it is actually getting worse. I can't disengage the lock with my index anymore, I MUST use my thumb. I've probably opened it a couple thousand times, but no forceful inertia openings. Some flicks, normal openings, and very light openings. The ONLY time it is "easy" to disengage is when I open it really lightly. Even with normal thumb openings, it takes a thumb to disengage the lock.

It worries me a bit. This is one of the knives I've wanted since it's first inception and this lock fiasco is really putting a damper on the experience for me. I feel this specific knife may need a trip back to Golden to remedy the problem. Am I over-reacting or justly concerned?

Freediver · #2

I really haven't owned too many high end knives so I don't have much experience per say. I have owned many different salt folders with the boyle dent and can quickly open and close them. I recently got the para 2 and yes the lock is harder to disengage. In fact I use 2 hands to do it. I actually like it because of a sense of sturdiness I get from it. Whenever I use it I am never in a rush to quickly close it anyways, and feel the extra second it takes to close it with 2 hands is fine with me. I wouldn't worry about it.

The Mentaculous · #3

The graphite could have made it worse because it allows it to engage further onto the tang, which seems to be the problem. I'd imagine that over time it will get easier. If it were me, I'd give it a while, keep working it in, and definitely not apply anything to the lock surface. If you're not satisfied after a while, I'm sure spyderco CS would be happy to take a look at it

Perry · #4

Sorry mate but you DEFINITELY have a bum knife. SEND IT IN. Don't give it another thought.

Evil D · #5

I'm still not convinced that lube in that area makes the lock engage further. I understand the concept, but a good quality lube will still be between those two metal parts regardless of how much further it allows the lock to engage, and should still make the lock easier to unlock...i'm still convinced, all you need is some wax based lube...if i hadn't tried White Lighting on mine i'm certain i would still be having this issue.

Another thing you can try (at your own risk) is to loosen the screw/pin that the lock tab wedges against and rotate it. On my Paramilitary there is a lot of tolerance there and i can spin it around and change how far the tab engages the blade, and if it engages too far it definitely becomes a PITA to unlock. I've found a happy medium on mine, to where it engages plenty far enough to lock solid but i can unlock it quite easily. I'm not sure if this is enough to justify voiding your warranty or not.

Mr Blonde · #6

I've had my share of sticky liner and compression locks over the years. But all of those were remedied by either a night of watching movies on the couch and annoying my better half with the continuous sound of opening and closing, or the good-old eccentric pivot pin of years past. The Military and Chinese folder used to have that feature and it made it possible to adjust the linerlock. But that was nigh on ten years ago now.

If I were you I'd contact W&R, you're obviously unhappy with the knife. See what they can do for you.

SQSAR · #7

Question: Should it be that hard to unlock? Answer: No. Solution: Send it in to Spyderco. Even though this is a PITA, I suspect it will get the problem fixed right and for good. The Para2 is an awesome knife, and should perform as such.

gull wing · #8

Yes, you should send it in, sounds like an easy fix. Compression locks rarely have problems, now liner/frame locks often do.
I've made lots of all three kinds and usually the fix is a little buffing of the contact areas with a Scotchbrite wheel. (gauling)

Orion's Belt · #9

I will indeed call W&R on Monday. If they tell me to send it, I will. If not, I'll just work it another thousand times and hope it helps.

Astrozombee · #10

Im having the same problem Orion. After waiting months to finally get my PM2 I was disappointed that my lock is sticking. I have been trying to break it in but it just seems to be getting worse also. I think Im going to have to send it in on Mon. Do I have to include $ for return shipping on a warranty repair? :confused:

Orion's Belt · #11

Astrozombee wrote:Im having the same problem Orion. After waiting months to finally get my PM2 I was disappointed that my lock is sticking. I have been trying to break it in but it just seems to be getting worse also. I think Im going to have to send it in on Mon. Do I have to include $ for return shipping on a warranty repair? :confused:

I don't know if you have to send money or not. I tried to call W&R today, but got no answer. I did send them an email, however.

Pneumothorax · #12

The Mentaculous wrote:The graphite could have made it worse because it allows it to engage further onto the tang, which seems to be the problem. I'd imagine that over time it will get easier. If it were me, I'd give it a while, keep working it in, and definitely not apply anything to the lock surface. If you're not satisfied after a while, I'm sure spyderco CS would be happy to take a look at it

I dont know if this is helpful, but when I got my Leafstorm, the lock was really sticky. I had to press really hard to unlock and then it would make this loud 'CLICK' sound. I tried oil and then I heard about graphite - neither of those worked. I also tried the sit there and cycle it method and did about 200 or so open and closes til my hand was tired. NOthing worked. I was ready to send mine in...then someone suggested to use silicone grease. I bought some and put it on the lock surfaces and after while it broke in. I dont know why, but that worked in that instance - maybe worth a try.

peacefuljeffrey · #13

All in favor of a redesigned Paramilitary with a BALL BEARING LOCK, say Aye! :p

JNewell · #14

It's scheduled to be in the catalog.

In 2021. :p :D

Orion's Belt · #15

JNewell wrote:It's scheduled to be in the catalog.

In 2021. :p :D

Only another 10 years. Actually not much longer than I waited for my Para 2 :p .

In other news, my Para 2 is actually getting a bit better. No lube and lots of cycling. I'm going to give it some more time while I wait for a reply from W&R.

OldHoosier62 · #16

If it is a galling issue then try good old STP-just a touch of it on a q-tip works quite well on stainless galling issues, Mil-Tec has also shown decent results as well as Brownell's "trigger-job-in a jar" (grease base with graphite and Molybedum Disulfide)

Just a thought.